Relationship between post-traumatic stress reactions and anxiety sensitivity in children with earthquake experience: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: Children are among the groups most adversely affected by earthquakes, especially those in school and adolescents have a higher awareness of traumatic events. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between post-traumatic stress reactions and anxiety sensitivity levels in children who experienced earthquakes. METHODS: The study is descriptive and correlational cross-sectional design. The study was conducted with 292 children aged 8–15 who experienced the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Data were collected using the Socio-Demographic Information Form, Post-Traumatic Stress Response Scale for Children, and Child Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CAS). Data were reported using numbers, percentages, means, standard values, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression tests. RESULTS: The mean age of the children was 12.35 ± 2.21, and 54.5% were female. The children scored 42.89 ± 16.72 on the post-traumatic stress response scale and 36.48 ± 7.95 on the anxiety sensitivity index. The study found a positive significant relationship between post-traumatic stress reactions and anxiety sensitivity of children who experienced an earthquake (p<.05). CONCLUSION: It is seen that increasing the level of earthquake exposure causes an increase in stress responses and that increased stress responses are effective in increasing anxiety sensitivity. It is important to raise awareness of children and families about earthquakes and to direct children exposed to earthquakes to the necessary support services. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.